Lucasfilm today announced that Star Wars Episode VII will begin filming in May of this year. The StarWars.com statement says:

Disney and Lucasfilm are excited to announce that principal photography on Star Wars: Episode VII, directed by J.J. Abrams, will commence May 2014, and will be based at London's historic Pinewood Studios.

The statement also reveals that the film is set thirty years after Return of the Jedi (34 ABY) and will "star a trio of new young leads along with some very familiar faces."

Check out the release, as well as a historic timeline of the first official day of shooting since March 1976, at StarWars.com.

It's Official: Star Wars Episode VII Rolls Cameras May 2014Posted By Philip on March 18, 2014:StarWars.com has posted the news that the cameras will roll on Episode VII in May 2014. The release also goes on to say, "It has also been confirmed that Star Wars: Episode VII is set about 30 years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, and will star a trio of new young leads along with some very familiar faces. No further details on casting or plot are available at this time." More after the jump.